At least 5,000 families in Makueni County will benefit from relief food donated by the Deputy President’s wife Pastor Dorcas Gachagua following the prolonged drought that has lasted four seasons.
Beneficiaries are drawn from Kathozweni (2000), Kibwezi West (1,500) and Kibwezi East (1,500) Sub-counties and will receive rice, beans, maize flour and green grams in a package.
Speaking at Kathozweni playground on Saturday, Mrs Gachagua said the food was donated by Kamili Packers Ltd, Elgon Kenya Ltd, AMS Properties, Andrew Wemyss Trust and Joymax Millers and Kenya Red Cross that is assisting in logistics.
“I appeal to all Kenyans of good will to respond to the great need of saving lives of fellow country men and women,” she said after flagging off two Lorries transporting food to Kibwezi East and Kibwezi West respectively.
During the occasion Mrs Gachagua said that the government has donated 280 bags of rice and another 280 bags of beans to be distributed to needy schools spread across the county.
“This initiative is to complement government intervention in food distribution, cash transfers and drilling of bore holes to boost food security in the country,” she added.
Mrs Gachagua further disclosed that she is targeting to reach 50,000 families countrywide facing starvation through the initiative adding that so far some 10,000 families in Narok and Solio have been assisted.
Makueni Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jnr said that there are 246,913 people faced with starvation and lauded the national government for the initiative of distributing relief food to alleviate their suffering.
“On Thursday we officially launched distribution of relief food from the national government to the people facing starvation in the county. I warn those having designs of diverting the food relief that they will face the full force of the law,” he warned.
However, the governor noted that there was need to prioritise construction of dams to provide water for drinking and irrigation in order to increase food production in the county.
Present at the function included Makueni County Commissioner Beverly Opwora, national government departmental heads and from the county government, Makueni Woman Rep Susan Kiamba among other leaders.
By Patrick Nyakundi and Ronald Rono
